5 Delicious Ways To Bake Orange Cake Like Mary Berry

🍊 In the world of baking, few names command as much respect and reverence as Mary Berry. Her recipes are not just guidelines but are, in fact, a culinary education. Among her delightful creations, orange cake stands out for its zesty flavor and delightful aroma, embodying the essence of British baking tradition. Here, we delve into five delicious methods to bake an orange cake, all inspired by Mary Berry's own techniques. So, let's dive into the magical world of citrus and sugar, where every slice promises a burst of sunshine in your mouth!

🍊 Classic Mary Berry Orange Cake

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Mary+Berry+Orange+Cake" alt="Classic Mary Berry Orange Cake"> </div>

Mary Berry's classic orange cake is all about simplicity and elegance. Here's how you can recreate this masterpiece:

• Ingredients:

  • 225g (8oz) butter (softened)
  • 225g (8oz) caster sugar
  • 4 large free-range eggs
  • 225g (8oz) self-raising flour
  • Zest and juice of 2 oranges

• Steps:

  1. Preheat: Start by heating your oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line two 20cm (8in) round cake tins.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
  3. Add Eggs: Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a little flour to prevent curdling.
  4. Incorporate Flour: Fold in the flour along with the orange zest.
  5. Divide and Bake: Split the batter evenly between the tins, bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  6. Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  7. Assemble: Sandwich the cakes together with orange-flavored buttercream or drizzle with a glaze made from orange juice and icing sugar.

<p class="pro-note">🧐 Note: Adding orange juice to the batter makes the cake moist but also adds a bit of risk for the cake to sink. It's always good to balance the moisture content with the right amount of flour or baking powder.</p>

🍊 Orange and Almond Cake

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Orange+and+Almond+Cake" alt="Orange and Almond Cake"> </div>

Mary Berry's twist on orange cake includes almonds for a rich, dense texture:

• Ingredients:

  • 200g (7oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 200g (7oz) caster sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 200g (7oz) ground almonds
  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • 75g (2.6oz) plain flour

• Steps:

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Prepare a 20cm (8in) springform tin.
  2. Cream and Beat: Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs one at a time, adding some almonds after each egg to prevent curdling.
  3. Add Flour and Almonds: Fold in the remaining ground almonds, flour, and orange zest.
  4. Bake: Pour into the tin and bake for about 45-50 minutes.
  5. Syrup: While the cake bakes, make an orange syrup from orange juice and sugar, boil until slightly thickened, then pour over the hot cake once out of the oven.
  6. Cool and Serve: Let the cake soak up the syrup and cool before serving.

<p class="pro-note">👨‍🍳 Note: Always ensure your cake tin is properly lined to prevent the cake from sticking, especially with cakes that have a higher fat content like this one.</p>

🍊 Orange Upside-Down Cake

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Orange+Upside-Down+Cake" alt="Orange Upside-Down Cake"> </div>

This is a stunning and unique presentation, where the orange slices caramelize on the bottom of the cake:

• Ingredients:

  • 2-3 oranges, sliced thinly
  • 100g (3.5oz) light brown sugar
  • 175g (6oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 175g (6oz) caster sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 225g (8oz) self-raising flour

• Steps:

  1. Prepare the Pan: Line the base of a 23cm (9in) springform tin with greaseproof paper, then sprinkle the base with the brown sugar, and arrange the orange slices on top.
  2. Make the Batter: Beat butter and caster sugar, add eggs gradually, and fold in flour.
  3. Bake: Pour the batter over the oranges and bake at 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4 for about 35-40 minutes.
  4. Flip and Cool: Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes, then carefully turn it out onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized oranges.

🍊 Chocolate Orange Cake

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Chocolate+Orange+Cake" alt="Chocolate Orange Cake"> </div>

For a decadent treat, combine chocolate with the bright tang of oranges:

• Ingredients:

  • 200g (7oz) unsalted butter
  • 200g (7oz) dark chocolate, broken up
  • 275g (9.7oz) caster sugar
  • 5 large eggs, separated
  • 200g (7oz) ground almonds
  • Zest of 2 oranges

• Steps:

  1. Preheat Oven: Set to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4, prepare a 23cm (9in) springform tin.
  2. Melt and Mix: Melt butter and chocolate together, then let cool slightly before adding sugar, egg yolks, almonds, and zest.
  3. Whisk Egg Whites: In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks.
  4. Combine: Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two parts.
  5. Bake: Bake for around 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
  6. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the tin before removing.

<p class="pro-note">📝 Note: The key to this cake's success is folding in the egg whites gently to keep the cake light. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.</p>

🍊 Orange Drizzle Cake

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Orange+Drizzle+Cake" alt="Orange Drizzle Cake"> </div>

A twist on the classic lemon drizzle, this cake is both sweet and citrusy:

• Ingredients:

  • 225g (8oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 225g (8oz) caster sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 225g (8oz) self-raising flour
  • Zest and juice of 2 oranges

• Steps:

  1. Prepare Oven: Preheat to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4, line a loaf tin.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat together until light and fluffy.
  3. Add Eggs: Incorporate eggs one at a time, adding some flour after each to prevent curdling.
  4. Add Flour and Zest: Fold in the remaining flour and orange zest.
  5. Bake: Pour into the loaf tin and bake for 40-45 minutes.
  6. Drizzle: Mix orange juice with some sugar, pour over the hot cake, let it soak in before cooling.

By exploring these five delicious ways to bake an orange cake like Mary Berry, you're not just indulging in a delightful dessert but also embracing a rich baking heritage. Whether you prefer the classic simplicity, the nutty depth of almonds, the luxurious pairing with chocolate, the vibrant display of an upside-down cake, or the subtle tang of an orange drizzle, there's an orange cake for every occasion.

Mary Berry's approach to baking teaches us that with a bit of patience, love, and respect for ingredients, one can transform the simplest of items into culinary art. Her orange cake recipes are a testament to this philosophy, where each slice is an invitation to savor the moment, appreciate the craft, and perhaps most importantly, share the joy of baking with others.

So, what are you waiting for? Let's bake and share the love, one orange cake at a time!

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I substitute orange for lemon in Mary Berry's cake recipes?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, you can replace orange with lemon in most Mary Berry cake recipes, but keep in mind that the flavor profile will be different. Use the same quantities for zest and juice, and you might find the cake a bit more tart.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What type of oranges should I use for baking?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Use navel oranges for their sweet flavor and easy peeling, or blood oranges for a more tart and visually appealing cake with their deep red hue.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How can I make sure my orange cake doesn't sink?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>To avoid a sinking cake, ensure you don't overmix the batter, balance the moisture content, and bake at the correct temperature. Also, avoid opening the oven door too frequently during baking.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>